Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:17:01 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: how to change alternator belt?
In-Reply-To: <8379ee2c0912281720k5f3a5169u997f968f9a5ae5eb@mail.gmail.com>
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You should start saving money for a major engine repair. The temp gauge
sensor relies on coolant being pumped past it to work. No pump = no gauge
until you get the heads really hot and steam carries the heat to the sensor.
Damage is now beginning. That sound was boiling water and steam and those
clicking noises were the head studs stretching under the load. You may get
away with for a short while.
You also need to find out why the belt suddenly failed. Major neglect,
incorrect tension, or bad alternator/water pump bearings are the usual
suspects.
To change the belt you will need to get the other two off the crank pulley.
For the power steering belt there is one bolt in a slot and the pivot may
need to be loosened. 13 and 17mm wrenches.
For the AC there are two 13 mm nuts on the bracket, 8mm Allen sockets top,
and the 13 mm nut at the bottom of the bracket. Then there should be a 13mm
long tensioning bolt. Loosen it all the way without removing it. The
compressor should swing down.
On the alternator there is the obvious top bolt on the slide. You may have
the toothed tensioner. You also should have to loosen the pivot at the
bottom of the bracket. It is important that the bottom bolt is tightened. Do
not leave it loose enough to allow easy future adjustment.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Alex Madison
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 8:21 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: how to change alternator belt?
Last night I picked up the van and drove it home keeping an eye on the
temp gauge. It rose to just above the light in the middle of the gauge. It
usually stops in the middle. When I got home I heard a sound coming from
the engine compartment. Holding my breathe I opened the compartment and saw
that the coolant was boiling in the resevoir. I removed the lid off my
expansion tank ( wasnt boiling there ) and it quickly subsided. I took a
look in the back today and I believe I see the correct bolts/nuts to
loosen, but I have 3 belts, is this because I have ac? Just wondering what
to loosen to get the pulley on the left side to move inward so I can remove
that belt as well. Unless I'm missing something and still only need to
remove the belt for the power steering?
>
> Alex 1989 Westfalia GL
> Victoria BC
>